The Puppy Had a Note Tied to Her Paw-and Someone Promised to Call at Noon

from it and came to me.

I sat on the floor as thunder rolled across the city. Sophie pressed herself against my side, trembling but present.

I tapped twice against the floorboards.

Her shoulders lowered.

She placed one paw over my hand and left it there.

The paper remained behind glass, safe from wind and weather.

Sophie no longer needed to hold it.